Meet the Our VOICE Staff

Katherine Cross, JD
Executive Director
Katherine joins Our VOICE after working in the Triad of North Carolina as the director of an agency dedicated to child abuse prevention. She has seven years experience working for sexual assault support services in Virginia where she also practiced law. She is a mediator and enjoys biking, and being outdoors. She is excited to serve as the new leader for Our VOICE.
Robin PayneRobin Payne, MBA
Development Coordinator
Robin is a happily married mother of two amazing children and loves working at Our VOICE as the Development and Marketing Coordinator. Robin has worked in the Asheville nonprofit community for ten years in development, marketing, planning, and outreach. She has also been a small business owner and considers herself a lifelong student. An active volunteer in the community, Robin is proud to be part of such a strong organization that does amazing work.
Caroline Mason
Crisis Response and Volunteer Coordinator
Caroline brings to her role as Crisis Response/Volunteer Coordinator many years’ experience in managing volunteers in a variety of not-for-profit settings.  With a background in the fine arts, she is currently working toward a Masters in Counseling with a focus on the healing power of creative expression for trauma survivors.  As a former client, Caroline appreciates training and working with the volunteer Advocates who help fulfill Our VOICE’s mission to provide support and advocacy to those in crisis due to sexual violence.
Kristin CarswellKristin Carswell, LPC
Counselor
Kristin Carswell joined the Our VOICE staff in 2006 but has been working toward social justice in many different capacities in the non-profit sector since 1995.  Kristin is a graduate of Western North Carolina University and holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling.  She is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Kristin is inspired by the resilience she witnesses in the clients she serves and feels fortunate to combine her passion for challenging oppression with helping others make meaning of their life experiences.
Our VOICE full time counselorSarah Cranford, LCSW
Counselor
Sarah recently joined Our VOICE in December of 2011 after working as a counselor in Western North Carolina for 11 years. Sarah received her MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City in 1998. She is credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina. Sarah has worked extensively with survivors of trauma and believes strongly in advocating for the most vulnerable in our communities. She is excited about joining the Our Voice team and being a part of an organization dedicated to promoting positive change in society.
ohia
AmeriCorps *VISTA – Outreach Coordinator & Graphic Designer
ohia has been an avid volunteer with Our VOICE since December 2009. After much dedicated work she was asked to join the team in December 2010. She believes that everyone in Buncombe County should know about the services we provide and would like to see the symbiotic support system between Our VOICE and our community grow stronger. As a natural networker she will strengthen the agency’s presence through building new relationships with individuals, schools, local organizations, businesses, and other non-profits, throughout all of Buncombe County. She is excited to further develop the outreach program with an acute focus on Bar Outreach and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Transitioning from volunteer to employee she continues to work under her favorite Our VOICE motto, “We’re not afraid to talk about it, End Sexual Violence!”.
 
Sarah Tennyson, MPH
Prevention Education Outreach Volunteer Coordinator
Sarah came to Our VOICE in December 2011. She’s very excited to be a part of an organization whose mission and vision align with her own commitment to social justice. Sarah came to Our VOICE from Western NC AIDS Project where she worked as an educator and advocate involved in HIV prevention and outreach work. With a strong public health background, she hopes to continue to spread the message that sexual violence is a widespread public health threat that affects us all.
Shilpa Reddy
Shilpa started volunteering with Our VOICE in 2010, and joined the staff in August 2011. She graduated from Cornell University in 2002 and has been working in youth empowerment through experiential and outdoor education since then. Her current role includes supporting and developing the Prevention, Education, and Outreach Program as well as coordinating Climbing Toward Confidence, Our VOICE’s after-school program for middle-school girls. Shilpa is excited to be a part of an organization that supports doing unique and innovative programs.
Melanie Gordon-Calabrese, LPCA
Case Manager
Melanie has been volunteering with Our VOICE since 2005 and is excited to be part of the staff. She has been working with social justice issues in a variety of ways since a young age and feels lucky to able to work with an organization that promotes her core values and beliefs. Melanie received her BA in Gender Studies from Simon’s Rock College of Bard and her Master’s in Community Counseling from Western Carolina University.